Today's Opinions

Judging by the results of Twin County Regional Hospital’s recent community survey, steps are being made in the right direction with the facility since the merger with Duke LifePoint.
Late last year, approximately 308 people were randomly selected to weigh in on what they loved and hated about the healthcare options available in this region.
TCRH set the bar in several categories, scoring high in categories such as general practice, convenience, positive staff attitudes and outpatient care.

I am responding to the letter “Thrift Shop Changes Unwelcome.”
I don’t normally respond to these kinds of comments and just let time settle them. However, I feel accountable to the community and to the people who donate to us. I need to give some factual information and hope that will put this to rest.
Willing Partners of Galax and Independence still has pictures, wooden shelves, lamps, home decor items, craft items, pillows, blankets and sheets — all displayed for sale.

With our current economic crisis, I have noticed that many churches in our area do some type of assistance program for people who live in the City of Galax.
I work at First United Methodist Church of Galax and we have a new ministry “Kid Junction,” which offers assistance for parents.
We help parents who are struggling financially in our city by providing items for their babies and children up to first and second grade. We provide a variety of clothing, hygiene care items and school supplies.

Most people who live in the Twin Counties will agree: the weather has been tough on us for the past few months.
Starting at the end of December, we were hit with rain, snow and ice. Some loved the opportunity to snuggle up at home and take a “snow day,” while others hated it because they still had to drive ― and sometimes slide ― to and from work in the slushy muck.
But even those who fit into the latter were the lucky ones, compared to the residents of Givens Street in Galax.

This spring, cicadas will emerge along the East Coast after 17 years underground.
These friendly bugs are causing a lot of buzz — and not just because of the drum-like “love song” that male cicadas make to attract females.
Cicadas are a boon to the local ecosystem. Cicada nymphs construct chimney-like tunnels as they emerge, naturally aerating the soil even better than earthworms do. The tunnels remain, allowing more water to reach trees’ roots.

In dedication and in memory of a sheriff in West Virginia and a 35-year veteran of the Virginia State Police who were brutally killed while sitting in their patrol cars.
In our violent society, losers continue to take lives of the ones who protect and serve the public. If this isn’t bad enough, an evil heart is now going after court officials and firefighters.
The scumbags of the earth who don’t have a life. They live in misery and have respect for nothing. They take their spite out on authorities, children and elderly.

The Galax City Council recently viewed the results of a survey of the downtown area conducted by RKG Associates. Over the course of several months, they carefully studied the area to pinpoint its strengths and weaknesses, and determined what could be done to spike the interests of both tourists and residents.
Studies revealed that the area has a great foundation, with a rich history of art and music that draws in tourists from all over the world.